Euphorbia heterophylla

L. (1753)

This name is accepted

Kingdom: Viridiplantae Phylum: Magnoliophyta Class/Clade: Eudicot-Rosids Order: Malpighiales Family: Euphorbiaceae Genus: Euphorbia

green leaved wild poinsettia, kaliko, spurge

Description

Key Characters:

Growth Form: Robust annual herbs.

Stems: Stems (1–)2–8 dm long, glabrous to pilose.

Roots:

Leaves: Leaves simple. Alternate below, opposite above. Blades broadly ovate, elliptic, obovate, or panduriform, rarely linear, blades 4–12 cm long, 0.3–7 cm wide. Apex acute, short-acuminate, or short-cuspidate. Base rounded to cuneate. Surfaces glabrous or pilose, green, sometimes floral leaves white or with splotches of purple at base, never red. Margins entire to coarsely serrate. Petioles (0.5–)1–4 cm long. Stipules absent or minute and gland-like.

Flowers: Flowers in cyathia in dense terminal cymes; pistillate flowers solitary, on a gynophore; staminate flowers in 5 groups or cymules, each with 1 to several flowers. involucre 2–2.5 mm high, glabrous, gland 1, cup–shaped with a circular opening, without an appendage. Flowers unisexual and highly reduced. Calyx (sepals) absent. Corolla (petals) absent. Male flower reduced to a single stamen, with an articulation at junction of pedicel and filament, subtended by slender bracteoles. Ovary superior, 3-carpellate; ovules 1 per cell, anatropous.

Fruit: Capsules subglobose; 3–4 mm long; glabrous. Seeds dark brownish gray to black; sometimes mottled; truncate–ovoid; angled; 2–2.5 mm long; coarsely tuberculate; ecarunculate.

Ploidy: 2n = 28; 38; 54; 56

Habitat: Low elevation; dry; disturbed sites.

Elevation Range:

Historical Distribution

Synonyms (38)

Uses and Culture

USES

  • Yes

Natural History

Statewide Status

Naturalized

Island Status

Ni'ihau(Incl. Lehua) Naturalized
Kuaihelani (Midway Atoll) Naturalized
Kaua'i Naturalized
O'ahu Naturalized
Molokai Not in flora
Lana'i Naturalized
Kaho'olawe Not in flora
Maui Naturalized
Hawai'i Naturalized

Dispersal Agents


Pollinators

Bibliography

Name Published In: Sp. Pl.: 453 (1753)

Other References

Wagner et al. 1990:619 (Mi, Ni, K, O, L, M, Ka, H); Faccenda, Arthur, et al. 2025:177 (remove Ka [no evidence of nat.]); Starr & Starr 2008/Caum s.n. BISH 49833 (Mi†, 1944); Munro 434 BISH (L†, 1929)

Occurrences

SNo. Scientific Name Locality Habitat Basis of Record Recorded By Record Number Island Source Date
1 Euphorbia heterophylla Slope at base of Kapu O Keona, Kealakekua Bay OBSERVATION Curtis Daehler Hawaii HAPI 10/18/2007
2 Euphorbia heterophylla Kawela Bay Sand flat. Preserved_Specimen Fosberg, F.R. 9229 Oahu BISH 1933-03-05
3 Euphorbia heterophylla Slope at base of Kapu O Keona, Kealakekua Bay Talus slope st base of pali. Preserved_Specimen Corn, C. Hawaii BISH 1985-09-04
4 Euphorbia heterophylla Makakilo Gulch Growing together with Kiawe and mixed grasses. Preserved_Specimen Leu, M. 58 Oahu BISH 1987-12-04
5 Euphorbia heterophylla Waimea District: along Waimea Canyon Drive just North of Waimea, at lookout below Panini Heights Dry secondary shrubland with Leucaena dominant. Roadside. Preserved_Specimen Lorence, D.H. 5741 Kauai BISH 1988-01-27
6 Euphorbia heterophylla Between Koko Crater and Makapuu Point Occasional along roadside in dry low Prosopis forest. Preserved_Specimen Fosberg, F.R. 39809 Oahu BISH 1959-01-16
7 Euphorbia heterophylla Punaluu Valley, Koolau Mts Edge of cane field. Preserved_Specimen Hume, E.P. 448 Oahu BISH 1931-12-21
8 Euphorbia heterophylla Halemano, Wahiawa In moderately wet pineapple field. Preserved_Specimen Hosaka, E.Y. 412 Oahu BISH 1931-06-07
9 Euphorbia heterophylla Honolulu, Manoa area, Kolowalu St In a vacant lot growing in dense stands in full sun. Preserved_Specimen Lau, J. 1524 Oahu BISH 1985-10-16
10 Euphorbia heterophylla Honolulu, Makiki Valley Roadside. Preserved_Specimen Neal, M.C. Oahu BISH 1932-03-13
11 Euphorbia heterophylla Ewa Plains, along Fort Weaver Road At the edge of sugar cane field. Preserved_Specimen Funk, E.J. 239 Oahu BISH 1984-10-01
12 Euphorbia heterophylla East Maui, 16.6 miles E. of 'Ulupalakua Ranch on Piilani hwy. (Hwy. 31), 3.7 miles E. of Manawainui Rocky dry stream bed dominated by Prosopis pallida. Leucaena leucocephala. Preserved_Specimen Wagner, W.L. 4744 Maui BISH 1983-01-14
13 Euphorbia heterophylla W Maui, abundant along highway near Papawai Pt Roadside. In company w/grasses, Desmanthus & Xanthium. Preserved_Specimen Nagata, K.M. 985 Maui BISH 1972-04-06
14 Euphorbia heterophylla Waipio Along road in abandoned pineapple field. Preserved_Specimen Herbst, D.R. 748 Oahu BISH 1967-11-27
15 Euphorbia heterophylla UH Manoa campus, 30 m North of the Biomedical Sciences Building. Along access road/driveway. Along roadside/driveway in soil disturbed within the last year. Preserved_Specimen Walvoord, N. 2023016 Oahu BISH 2023-05-06
16 Euphorbia heterophylla Paomai Ahupuaa, In culch west of Kuahua Road. Transect La, Station 10. Dry exotic grassland with mixed native and exotic shrubs. Growing in partial shade under 2 medium-small Erythrina trees 2 m above dry stream bed in alluvium. Preserved_Specimen Warshauer, F.R. 2211 Lanai BISH 1979-04-04
17 Euphorbia heterophylla Honolulu, Makiki Valley Hillsides, open pastures. Preserved_Specimen Wilder, G.P. 71 Oahu BISH 1923-12-10
18 Euphorbia heterophylla East Maui, Hana District, Kalahu Point, PTBG Kahanu Garden, along Honomaele Stream on the Garden's E boundary Disturbed area subject to frequent inundation by flood waters. Preserved_Specimen Flynn, T.W. 2454 Maui BISH 1987-10-15
19 Euphorbia heterophylla Hauula Trailside. Preserved_Specimen Bryan Jr., E.H. 701 Oahu BISH 1929-04-14
20 Euphorbia heterophylla Honolulu, University of Hawaii Manoa Campus Waste field. Preserved_Specimen Hume, E.P. 55 Oahu BISH 1930-11-15
21 Euphorbia heterophylla Along dirt haul cane road (Lihue Plantation) between Hanamaulu and Hanahanapuni cone Associated with Digitaria and Paspalum. Preserved_Specimen Ishikawa, S. 286 Kauai BISH 1973-08-21
22 Euphorbia heterophylla Growing along Kuakini Highway near Kailua-Kona Disturbed roadside. Preserved_Specimen Herbst, D.R. 5020 Hawaii BISH 1974-09-17
23 Euphorbia heterophylla Honolulu, Kalihi Street near Bishop Museum Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 21360 Oahu BISH 1951-05-28
24 Euphorbia heterophylla Waimea; between 3 isletes towards Kawailoa On shore. Preserved_Specimen Neal, M.C. Oahu BISH 1938-08-21
25 Euphorbia heterophylla UH Manoa campus, 30 m North of the Biomedical Sciences Building. Along access road/driveway. Along roadside/driveway in soil disturbed within the last year. Preserved_Specimen Walvoord, N. 2023016 Oahu BISH 2023-05-06
26 Euphorbia heterophylla Kaena, Uluhulu Gulch Thicket. Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 9999 Oahu BISH 1929-11-03
27 Euphorbia heterophylla Kipapa Gulch In waste place. Preserved_Specimen Hosaka, E.Y. 1372 Oahu BISH 1936-03-22
28 Euphorbia heterophylla SW corner of West Maui on coast at Tunnel Very local on fine talus of road cut. Preserved_Specimen Fosberg, F.R. 55702 Maui BISH 1975-03-16
29 Euphorbia heterophylla Aiea Cane field. Preserved_Specimen Christophersen, E. Oahu BISH 1924-12-07
30 Euphorbia heterophylla Honolulu, Kaimuki Roadside. Preserved_Specimen Fosberg, F.R. 8851 Oahu BISH 1932-09-24
31 Euphorbia heterophylla Beside road up Makapuu Head Preserved_Specimen Wilbur, R.L. 513 Oahu BISH 1948-03-14
32 Euphorbia heterophylla Punaluu Station Preserved_Specimen Rock, J.F.C. 780 Oahu BISH 1908-12-03
33 Euphorbia heterophylla Honolulu, in Nuuanu Preserved_Specimen Heller, A.A. 2035 Oahu BISH 1895-11-06
34 Euphorbia heterophylla Hauula along railroad Preserved_Specimen Garber, D.W. 480 Oahu BISH 1920-07-04
35 Euphorbia heterophylla Nuuanu Valley Preserved_Specimen Forbes, C.N. 1215 Oahu BISH 1909-03-21
36 Euphorbia heterophylla In Diamond Head Crater Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 1333 Oahu BISH 1930-05-11
37 Euphorbia heterophylla [Hawaiian Islands; U.S.A.; O`ahu; Hawai`i; Honolulu] Preserved_Specimen Munro, G.C. 636 Oahu BISH 1916-01-01
38 Euphorbia heterophylla Lalakoa Preserved_Specimen Munro, G.C. 434 Lanai BISH 1929-08-10
39 Euphorbia heterophylla Honolulu, University of Hawaii, Manoa Campus Preserved_Specimen Herbst, D.R. 5083 Oahu BISH 1974-10-20
40 Euphorbia heterophylla Kahikinui Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 19303 Maui BISH 1948-12-25
41 Euphorbia heterophylla Kaluanui Gulch Preserved_Specimen Garber, D.W. 480 Oahu BISH 1930-07-04
42 Euphorbia heterophylla Kawainui Marsh; Pali Hwy at Quarry Rd Preserved_Specimen Smith, L.B. 37 Oahu BISH 1976-01-07
43 Euphorbia heterophylla Honolulu, in Nuuanu ? Preserved_Specimen Heller, A.A. 2035 Oahu BISH 1895-11-06
44 Euphorbia heterophylla Kahikinui Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 19303 Maui BISH 1948-12-25
45 Euphorbia heterophylla PTBG, Lawai Valley Preserved_Specimen Herbst, D.R. 2297 Kauai BISH 1972-01-04
46 Euphorbia heterophylla Honolulu, Kamehameha Girl's School Preserved_Specimen Grant, M.L. 7128 Oahu BISH 1934-07-31
47 Euphorbia heterophylla Manawainui, S slope of Haleakala Preserved_Specimen Forbes, C.N. 1623 Maui BISH 1920-03-03
48 Euphorbia heterophylla Honolulu Preserved_Specimen Munro, G.C. 453 Oahu BISH 1916-01-01
49 Euphorbia heterophylla Honolulu Preserved_Specimen Rock, J.F.C. 517 Oahu BISH 1909-11-01
50 Euphorbia heterophylla Waialae Iki Preserved_Specimen Forbes, C.N. 2441 Oahu BISH 1917-03-02
51 Euphorbia heterophylla Honolulu, in Nuuanu. ? Preserved_Specimen Heller, A.A. 2035 Oahu BISH 1895-11-06
52 Euphorbia heterophylla Mt. Kaala Preserved_Specimen Matayoshi, N. Oahu BISH 1936-07-01
53 Euphorbia heterophylla W Maui, Kahakuloa Preserved_Specimen Handy, E.S. 34.13 Maui BISH 1934-06-04
54 Euphorbia heterophylla Jct. of Hwy. 11 and road to Pahala Preserved_Specimen Wagner, W.L. 5228 Hawaii BISH 1984-01-16
55 Euphorbia heterophylla S half of island Preserved_Specimen Stokes, J.F.G. Niihau BISH 1912-01-01
56 Euphorbia heterophylla S half of island Preserved_Specimen Stokes, J.F.G. Niihau BISH 1912-01-01
57 Euphorbia heterophylla Honolulu, Manoa Valley Preserved_Specimen Krauss, N.H. Oahu BISH 1933-05-16
58 Euphorbia heterophylla (??) lawn, King St Preserved_Specimen Oahu BISH 1908-08-15
59 Euphorbia heterophylla Slope at base of Kapu O Keona, Kealakekua Bay OBSERVATION Curtis Daehler Hawaii HAPI 10/18/2007
60 Euphorbia heterophylla Kawela Bay Sand flat. Preserved_Specimen Fosberg, F.R. 9229 Oahu BISH 1933-03-05
61 Euphorbia heterophylla Slope at base of Kapu O Keona, Kealakekua Bay Talus slope st base of pali. Preserved_Specimen Corn, C. Hawaii BISH 1985-09-04
62 Euphorbia heterophylla Makakilo Gulch Growing together with Kiawe and mixed grasses. Preserved_Specimen Leu, M. 58 Oahu BISH 1987-12-04
63 Euphorbia heterophylla Waimea District: along Waimea Canyon Drive just North of Waimea, at lookout below Panini Heights Dry secondary shrubland with Leucaena dominant. Roadside. Preserved_Specimen Lorence, D.H. 5741 Kauai BISH 1988-01-27
64 Euphorbia heterophylla Between Koko Crater and Makapuu Point Occasional along roadside in dry low Prosopis forest. Preserved_Specimen Fosberg, F.R. 39809 Oahu BISH 1959-01-16
65 Euphorbia heterophylla Punaluu Valley, Koolau Mts Edge of cane field. Preserved_Specimen Hume, E.P. 448 Oahu BISH 1931-12-21
66 Euphorbia heterophylla Halemano, Wahiawa In moderately wet pineapple field. Preserved_Specimen Hosaka, E.Y. 412 Oahu BISH 1931-06-07
67 Euphorbia heterophylla Honolulu, Manoa area, Kolowalu St In a vacant lot growing in dense stands in full sun. Preserved_Specimen Lau, J. 1524 Oahu BISH 1985-10-16
68 Euphorbia heterophylla Honolulu, Makiki Valley Roadside. Preserved_Specimen Neal, M.C. Oahu BISH 1932-03-13
69 Euphorbia heterophylla Ewa Plains, along Fort Weaver Road At the edge of sugar cane field. Preserved_Specimen Funk, E.J. 239 Oahu BISH 1984-10-01
70 Euphorbia heterophylla East Maui, 16.6 miles E. of 'Ulupalakua Ranch on Piilani hwy. (Hwy. 31), 3.7 miles E. of Manawainui Rocky dry stream bed dominated by Prosopis pallida. Leucaena leucocephala. Preserved_Specimen Wagner, W.L. 4744 Maui BISH 1983-01-14
71 Euphorbia heterophylla W Maui, abundant along highway near Papawai Pt Roadside. In company w/grasses, Desmanthus & Xanthium. Preserved_Specimen Nagata, K.M. 985 Maui BISH 1972-04-06
72 Euphorbia heterophylla Waipio Along road in abandoned pineapple field. Preserved_Specimen Herbst, D.R. 748 Oahu BISH 1967-11-27
73 Euphorbia heterophylla UH Manoa campus, 30 m North of the Biomedical Sciences Building. Along access road/driveway. Along roadside/driveway in soil disturbed within the last year. Preserved_Specimen Walvoord, N. 2023016 Oahu BISH 2023-05-06
74 Euphorbia heterophylla Paomai Ahupuaa, In culch west of Kuahua Road. Transect La, Station 10. Dry exotic grassland with mixed native and exotic shrubs. Growing in partial shade under 2 medium-small Erythrina trees 2 m above dry stream bed in alluvium. Preserved_Specimen Warshauer, F.R. 2211 Lanai BISH 1979-04-04
75 Euphorbia heterophylla Honolulu, Makiki Valley Hillsides, open pastures. Preserved_Specimen Wilder, G.P. 71 Oahu BISH 1923-12-10
76 Euphorbia heterophylla East Maui, Hana District, Kalahu Point, PTBG Kahanu Garden, along Honomaele Stream on the Garden's E boundary Disturbed area subject to frequent inundation by flood waters. Preserved_Specimen Flynn, T.W. 2454 Maui BISH 1987-10-15
77 Euphorbia heterophylla Hauula Trailside. Preserved_Specimen Bryan Jr., E.H. 701 Oahu BISH 1929-04-14
78 Euphorbia heterophylla Honolulu, University of Hawaii Manoa Campus Waste field. Preserved_Specimen Hume, E.P. 55 Oahu BISH 1930-11-15
79 Euphorbia heterophylla Along dirt haul cane road (Lihue Plantation) between Hanamaulu and Hanahanapuni cone Associated with Digitaria and Paspalum. Preserved_Specimen Ishikawa, S. 286 Kauai BISH 1973-08-21
80 Euphorbia heterophylla Growing along Kuakini Highway near Kailua-Kona Disturbed roadside. Preserved_Specimen Herbst, D.R. 5020 Hawaii BISH 1974-09-17
81 Euphorbia heterophylla Honolulu, Kalihi Street near Bishop Museum Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 21360 Oahu BISH 1951-05-28
82 Euphorbia heterophylla Waimea; between 3 isletes towards Kawailoa On shore. Preserved_Specimen Neal, M.C. Oahu BISH 1938-08-21
83 Euphorbia heterophylla UH Manoa campus, 30 m North of the Biomedical Sciences Building. Along access road/driveway. Along roadside/driveway in soil disturbed within the last year. Preserved_Specimen Walvoord, N. 2023016 Oahu BISH 2023-05-06
84 Euphorbia heterophylla Kaena, Uluhulu Gulch Thicket. Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 9999 Oahu BISH 1929-11-03
85 Euphorbia heterophylla Kipapa Gulch In waste place. Preserved_Specimen Hosaka, E.Y. 1372 Oahu BISH 1936-03-22
86 Euphorbia heterophylla SW corner of West Maui on coast at Tunnel Very local on fine talus of road cut. Preserved_Specimen Fosberg, F.R. 55702 Maui BISH 1975-03-16
87 Euphorbia heterophylla Aiea Cane field. Preserved_Specimen Christophersen, E. Oahu BISH 1924-12-07
88 Euphorbia heterophylla Honolulu, Kaimuki Roadside. Preserved_Specimen Fosberg, F.R. 8851 Oahu BISH 1932-09-24
89 Euphorbia heterophylla Beside road up Makapuu Head Preserved_Specimen Wilbur, R.L. 513 Oahu BISH 1948-03-14
90 Euphorbia heterophylla Punaluu Station Preserved_Specimen Rock, J.F.C. 780 Oahu BISH 1908-12-03
91 Euphorbia heterophylla Honolulu, in Nuuanu Preserved_Specimen Heller, A.A. 2035 Oahu BISH 1895-11-06
92 Euphorbia heterophylla Hauula along railroad Preserved_Specimen Garber, D.W. 480 Oahu BISH 1920-07-04
93 Euphorbia heterophylla Nuuanu Valley Preserved_Specimen Forbes, C.N. 1215 Oahu BISH 1909-03-21
94 Euphorbia heterophylla In Diamond Head Crater Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 1333 Oahu BISH 1930-05-11
95 Euphorbia heterophylla [Hawaiian Islands; U.S.A.; O`ahu; Hawai`i; Honolulu] Preserved_Specimen Munro, G.C. 636 Oahu BISH 1916-01-01
96 Euphorbia heterophylla Lalakoa Preserved_Specimen Munro, G.C. 434 Lanai BISH 1929-08-10
97 Euphorbia heterophylla Honolulu, University of Hawaii, Manoa Campus Preserved_Specimen Herbst, D.R. 5083 Oahu BISH 1974-10-20
98 Euphorbia heterophylla Kahikinui Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 19303 Maui BISH 1948-12-25
99 Euphorbia heterophylla Kaluanui Gulch Preserved_Specimen Garber, D.W. 480 Oahu BISH 1930-07-04
100 Euphorbia heterophylla Kawainui Marsh; Pali Hwy at Quarry Rd Preserved_Specimen Smith, L.B. 37 Oahu BISH 1976-01-07
101 Euphorbia heterophylla Honolulu, in Nuuanu ? Preserved_Specimen Heller, A.A. 2035 Oahu BISH 1895-11-06
102 Euphorbia heterophylla Kahikinui Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 19303 Maui BISH 1948-12-25
103 Euphorbia heterophylla PTBG, Lawai Valley Preserved_Specimen Herbst, D.R. 2297 Kauai BISH 1972-01-04
104 Euphorbia heterophylla Honolulu, Kamehameha Girl's School Preserved_Specimen Grant, M.L. 7128 Oahu BISH 1934-07-31
105 Euphorbia heterophylla Manawainui, S slope of Haleakala Preserved_Specimen Forbes, C.N. 1623 Maui BISH 1920-03-03
106 Euphorbia heterophylla Honolulu Preserved_Specimen Munro, G.C. 453 Oahu BISH 1916-01-01
107 Euphorbia heterophylla Honolulu Preserved_Specimen Rock, J.F.C. 517 Oahu BISH 1909-11-01
108 Euphorbia heterophylla Waialae Iki Preserved_Specimen Forbes, C.N. 2441 Oahu BISH 1917-03-02
109 Euphorbia heterophylla Honolulu, in Nuuanu. ? Preserved_Specimen Heller, A.A. 2035 Oahu BISH 1895-11-06
110 Euphorbia heterophylla Mt. Kaala Preserved_Specimen Matayoshi, N. Oahu BISH 1936-07-01
111 Euphorbia heterophylla W Maui, Kahakuloa Preserved_Specimen Handy, E.S. 34.13 Maui BISH 1934-06-04
112 Euphorbia heterophylla Jct. of Hwy. 11 and road to Pahala Preserved_Specimen Wagner, W.L. 5228 Hawaii BISH 1984-01-16
113 Euphorbia heterophylla S half of island Preserved_Specimen Stokes, J.F.G. Niihau BISH 1912-01-01
114 Euphorbia heterophylla S half of island Preserved_Specimen Stokes, J.F.G. Niihau BISH 1912-01-01
115 Euphorbia heterophylla Honolulu, Manoa Valley Preserved_Specimen Krauss, N.H. Oahu BISH 1933-05-16
116 Euphorbia heterophylla (??) lawn, King St Preserved_Specimen Oahu BISH 1908-08-15